Admitting the 14-time major winner showed flashes of his former brilliance at Torrey Pines, Faldo says Woods' swing lacks the rhythm and consistency required to be regularly competitive.

Playing his first full-field tournament since February last year, having spent 10 months recovering from spinal fusion surgery, Woods closed with an even-par 72 and a three-under total at Torrey Pines.

Woods, who has eight wins at Torrey Pines including the 2008 US Open, finished tied for 23rd - his best result on the US Tour since August 2015.

The 42-year-old's next start will be the LA Open at Riviera Country Club in mid-February.

Former world No.1 Faldo has implored Woods to work on his swing after he hit just 17 of 56 total fairways and 42 of 72 greens in regulation.

"The inconsistency of the timing of the swing (is a problem). He's either down the fairway and then he misses the green or he's in the rough," Faldo said.

"He's got to go away for two weeks and work on that. If he comes back with significant improvements at Riviera, then that'll be the real positive sign."

Woods rated among the top 25 for scrambling around the greens and three-time Masters winner Faldo believes that is promising going into his scheduled major championship return at Augusta National.

"He's made great birdies on the par fives, with great scrambling and his (putting) stroke is fantastic," Faldo said.

"He's reading the greens really well.

"He has scored great, but he hasn't been close enough to the flag to say, 'I should've been better'."

After his round, Woods praised his ability to grind out a score on the notoriously difficult course despite his disastrous form off the tee.

"I'm very pleased (with the week). After not playing for a couple years on the tour, they were four solid days, I fought hard for these scores," he said.